Day: June 9, 2023

The Green Legacy Initiative that Ethiopia has been undertaking will make a great contribution to the effort to prevent climate change globally, ambassadors of different countries observed.

The ambassadors pointed out that they will strengthen their support for the Green Legacy Initiative Ethiopia has been carrying out.

In the second phase of the program launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed yesterday, it was announced that 25 billion seedlings will planted in this phase.

Among the ambassadors who participated in the launching program, French Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rémi Maréchaux, said this Green Legacy Initiative is very important in mitigating climate change.

“It’s part of a more comprehensive movement and there is a growing awareness that all around Africa this kind of initiative, maybe not to the level of Ethiopia, but from east to west in the Sahel there is a huge project of the green wall to stop the progress of the deserts,” the ambassador added.

Moreover, he elaborated that Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is an example for many countries.

“Ethiopia is quite an example for many countries, not only in Africa, only if you take into account the energy mix of Africa which is 98 percent renewable. That’s a major contribution to a global challenge.”

According to him, what is undertaken here is not only for Ethiopia because global warming is a global challenge, and it must be addressed and fought in each and every country.

Italy’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Agostino Palese said on his part that the initiative that Ethiopia has been implementing is encouraging.

Ambassador Palese noted that it will create the ability to prevent floods, droughts and other related disasters that occur due to climate change at the international level.

Moreover, he stated that the initiative will benefit other development activities besides its contribution to climate change prevention.

China’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Zhao Zhiyuan appreciated Ethiopia’s commitment to plant 25 billion seedlings in the last four years under the Green Legacy Initiative.

He said this has its own positive contribution in preventing climate change not only in Ethiopia, but also the world.

“This Green Legacy Initiative was initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. I think since it has been started, it has made great achievements. In four years we have planted more than 25 billion seedlings. It has changed the climate of Ethiopia and will make a great contribution to Africa and around the world.”

The Green Legacy Initiative is a flagship program initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in June 2019 with a target of planting 20 billion seedlings within a period of four years.

However, by the last fourth year, 25 billion seedlings, including fruit trees and cattle feeds, have been planted as part of the national Green Legacy Initiative across the nation.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The first phase of the Green Legacy program initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has registered huge success, according to ministers.

The ministers, who took part in the launching of the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative in Afar region yesterday, said the program has been very successful.

Head of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Affairs Minister, Alemtsehay Paulos stated during the occasion that more than 25 billion seedlings were planted in the first phase of the Green Legacy Initiative.

Highlighting the success of the first phase of the initiative, she noted that planting of seedlings has benefited the society as they were able to get fruits from the planted trees.

The second phase of the program launched under the theme: “Let’s plant the future today” is a crucial juncture in which we leave great legacy for the future generation, she said.

Alemtsehay added that the initiative is also pivotal to transfer a well developed, productive and climate resilient nation for the next generation.

According to her, this year’s program has mainly focused on planting edible fruits tree seedlings.

Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa affirmed the success of the first phase of the initiative as the program has mobilized Ethiopians at large, which is a great experience to expand into other areas.

Noting that planting seedlings is instrumental to develop water resources, he added attention will next be given to basins.

Irrigation and Lowland Areas Development Minister, Aisha Mohammed said that Ethiopia has become a leading country in green legacy.

The green legacy program initiated by the PM will be critical in preventing the impact of climate change which has become a global phenomenon, the minister elaborated, pointing out that the lowland areas consist of plenty of water resources, huge land resources, and animal resources that could be beneficial to the nation.

Starting the initiative in these areas will have a huge role in showing the ample potential, Aisha noted.

Understanding that the initiative would bring social harmony and accelerate economic growth, we need to join hands to be successful in such areas.

Innovation and Technology Minister Belete Molla noted said the first phase has registered big leap.

As monitoring the seedlings should be given attention in addition to planting seedlings, software that carry out the activity has been developed.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Member of Parliament (MP) Henny Seibeb on Thursday questioned the actions of the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, for not removing non-resident councillors, even after he was legally advised to do so.

During a Parliament session on Thursday, Seibeb accused Uutoni of breaking the Local Authority Act by not removing Swapo councillors who do not permanently reside in the respective towns where they were appointed as councillors.

He gave the example of Fabiam George, chairperson of the Ongwediva Town Council management committee who is also employed full-time in Okakarara, which is 560 kilometres from where he is appointed as a councillor.

The Local Authority Act states that councillors should reside within the town where they are appointed as a councillor.

The MP asked the minister why he ignored the legal advice given to him by Attorney-General Festus Mbandeka in January 2019, informing him to remove such councillors, specifically, councillor George.

Seibeb said Uutoni has been overlooking these “wrongdoings” and asked the minister to explain what steps the ministry has taken to rectify the problem.

On the same day, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development was asked by MP Maximalliant Katjimune why he has not yet tabled the Rent Control Bill in Parliament.

He stated that the Rent Control Bill will regulate rent prices in Namibia, as well as handle and investigate complaints between tenants and property owners.

Katjimune added that the average wages do not compare to the rent rate in the country and that most Namibians could simply not afford to buy property, let alone rent.

The MP asked the minister to state when it can be expected to see this Bill tabled in Parliament.

These questions will be addressed in Parliament on 15 June.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency